where have you been?

Has it really been 6 weeks?? How time flies when things are crazy! I won't bore you with details but I've been under the weather for a while and some things have had to take a back seat for a while.

I'm still getting back on track, but didn't want to neglect you any longer than necessary so just checking in that you are inspired, living your dreams and forging ahead!!

Balance is an ever-present lesson in my life, as it seems to be with most people these days.  So I hope you are finding some!

I will be looking at a new format for my blog very soon, but for now I'll just keep posting as I'm able.

Happy writing ;)
Emma

I'm back -- again!

Hi everyone.  I'm back again after another (unplanned) break.  Between flash-flooding, back-to-school mayhem and my own assignments I've not had a spare minute.  So hopefully I can put blogging back on the daily agenda and share some inspiration (and frustration) with you all again.

Keep writing ;)
Emma

happy 2011 !!!

Hello everyone, Happy New Year.  Hope you all had a great festive season. 

I'm back on deck and ready for whatever 2011 holds, and look forward to sharing my continued journey and inspiration with you.  I don't claim to know much, but whatever I do stumble upon along the way, I'm happy to share with you.

I hope that you were all blessed beyond measure over the holidays and have some incredible experiences and eternal memories to show for it.

Hopefully you gave and received some special things, no doubt a glorious combination of things you love and those that you stare at wondering "Do these people know me at all?" lol.  They are all the things you'll find on ebay over the next month ;)

So here's to a great year, filled with plenty of hard work and forward momentum, and the occasional backward step, to be sure.  Just remember that as long as you are doing something to get you towards your goal, you'll get there in the end.

Happy writing ;)
Emma

see you next year!

As the craziness of the season kicks in with full force I've decided to have a couple of weeks off blogging.

It's time to focus on watching Christmas movies with the kids, cooking and then gorging on lots of delicious foods, wrapping and unwrapping pressies and playing a round or two of charades.  Not to mention partaking in one too many drinks whilst doing all of the above!

My favourite Christmas tradition is watching movies, particularly The Family Man with Nicholas Cage. 

It is a reminder to all of us to enjoy what is under our noses and embrace where we are, even with all that we think we have to complain about.  That is followed closely by Miracle on 34th Street and Elf, but honestly I love them all.  By the end of the year the kids are all Christmased out and me, I'd watch Christmas movies all year!



The tradition of watching movies started when I was just a kid, every year they would play the same movies on T.V. and it just didn't feel like Christmas until I'd seen them.  That was before it became common to have a home movie collection, so unless it was on at the cinema or on T.V. we didn't see it.  I relied on the fact that I'd get to watch Superman or The Wizard of Oz or Flash Gordan.  Not exactly Christmas themes but it was not Christmas until Lois had flown across the sky with her hero!

Charades is another one.  Every year the T.V. guide comes out as we make fools of ourselves attempting to act out titles of movies and sitcoms.

So, whatever traditions, goofy or otherwise that you uphold, may you have a blast doing them.

I'll be back in the New Year.

Happy writing ;)
Emma

merry christmas and happy new year

Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year to all of you.

Now you know why Santa really starts his deliveries down here! Nothing like easing back into the job - lol.

Thank you for all your love and support of my new little blog and I look forward to continuing in 2011.  It will no doubt evolve, as I do, so can't wait to share the journey with you.

Wherever you are and whatever you're doing this holiday season, I hope that you are with the people you love and that you are truly blessed.

Love Always ;)
Emma


Christmas is filled with story ideas, there is always something going on.  Be a present observer this year (pun absolutely intended) and see what inspiration surrounds you.

There is always a mixed bag of emotions and tapping into them and exploring others experiences will make for some interesting plots.

I'll leave you with this musical Christmas card.

Happy writing ;)
Emma 

announcing the book

Here it is, the first book.  I've decided to make this a monthly thing as a few have pointed out that not everyone reads as quickly as I do, or has much spare time.  So, to be fair, I'll announce the new book the last Monday of every month and review the previous one the first Monday.  That way, you will actually get close on 5 weeks to read.

Since I'm also reading scripts and I'm being asked which etc.  I'll post a link to any that blow me away.  The most recent one I recommend is Buried - Written by Chris Sparling although the entire screenplay takes place in a coffin it is such a visceral read that it doesn't matter. I haven't seen the movie yet, but it's on my list.  I'm interested to see how it transpires onto the screen.

OK, so there you have it. 

Happy reading ;)
Emma

what am I reading?

A common question I am asked is - What are you reading now?

Anyone who knows me, knows I constantly have a book on-the-go, sometimes two.  I have always loved to read and learnt at a very young age.  I was reading Enid Blyton chapter books by the time I was 5 and the passion has only grown with age.

My best friend is a fellow bookworm and so we often rotate, and always try to read the book version of an adaptation before we go see it.  We tend to have similar tastes so it works well, and it's always great to have a chat about our interpretation, likes and dislikes.

I have decided to share this with all of you, too.  Kind of like a book club.  As a writer it is so important to read.  As a screenwriter it is just as important to watch movies.  These are a vital part of how you learn.  The more you read or watch the more the structure and craft seeps into your subconscious and the better your own writing will become.

So, back to the question.  What am I reading at the moment?

J.K.Rowling of course!  With the new Harry Potter movie about to explode onto the screen any day (two to be precise) I decided to re-read The Deathly Hallows before I take the kids to see it, just so it's fresh in my mind.  I haven't been disappointed with an adaptation yet, but they are definitely not the books.  There are lots of little side stories they have left out completely, which I actually really like. 

Next week I have decided to start the book club, I will announce the new book and it's up to you if you read it or not, but I'll write a review once I'm done and open it for discussion. 

Happy reading ;)
Emma

be back soon

I'll be away for a few days on a mini-break, but catch you back here on Monday!  Have a great weekend everyone.

Happy writing ;)
Emma

happy halloween!

Hope you all have a day full of surprises and a scary night too!  Australia is still yet to fully embrace this tradition (much to our dismay) but my kids got a fright last night when the doorbell rang.  It was too late for visitors and we were watching a scary movie with our jack-o-lantern burning brightly and stuffing our faces with popcorn.

They looked at each other, then at me, and then the hallway.  Ooooo.

They were delighted when I opened it to find trick or treaters!  Lucky for me I had some goodies in the cupboard or I was about to be drenched by a few witches and superhero's wielding loaded water pistols.  So now my kids know our new neighbourhood celebrate, they are keen to join in next year! 

Costume ideas needed!

;) Emma

exciting news!

Some exciting news, Jim Cirile, founder of Coverage, Ink. is going to stop by for a chat and share some of his wisdom with us.

So stay tuned for that up-coming interview, it's sure to be great.

Happy writing ;)
Emma